These figures show a spectrum synthesis calculation of a supernova atmosphere
surrounded by a toroid. The layout of the atmosphere is presented on the
right while at the left we have a graph of the flux vs. wavelength vs. viewing
angle (Figure A) and of the polarization vs wavelength vs. viewing angle
(Figure B). For viewing angles where the toroid obscures the underlying
atmosphere, a strong absorption feature appears in the flux spectrum. Observations
of such a feature allows one to determine the 3-dimensional geometry of the
supernova ejecta, and hence put strong constraints on the progenitors and
explosion physics of Type Ia supernovae. Flux as a function of viewing angle MPEG.
Polarization as a function of viewing angle MPEG.